NSS Unit of SASRD observed ‘World Food Day’ on October 16. The programme was formally organised in the Dean’s Conference Hall, SASRD Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University. Dr. K K Jha, Programme officer, NSS Unit SASRD, delivered a short speech on this occasion. He pointed that the theme for ‘World Food Day’ 2010 was ‘United Against Hunger’ which was chosen to recognize the efforts made in the fight against world hunger at national, regional and international level. He also expressed about the severity of hunger in Indian context stating “Now India is ranked 67th among 84 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI), whereas its neighbouring countries stands better with China at the 9th place Sri Lanka at 39th, Pakistan at 52nd and Nepal at 56th place”. He impressed upon educating the parents for overcoming malnutrition among children and public and private partnership for creating awareness and defeat hunger and malnutrition. Prof. R C Nayak, dean, SASRD speaking on the occasion stressed on the need of creating awareness among public for the efforts in minimizing hunger and poverty. He said “wherever there is hunger there is poverty”, and felt it should be addressed essentially. He applauded the efforts taken up by Dr .K K Jha, Programme officer, NSS SASRD to organise the event in the campus. Prof. Alemla Ao, key speaker of the programme, pointed out that out of about 6.8 billon people globally, about one billion people suffer from chronic hunger every day. “South Asian countries and African countries are experiencing the vulnerability in terms of poverty, hunger and malnutrition”, she said. She also added “Agriculture sector has brought high achievements in the Indian context and it should further address the problems of poor and unprivileged section of the society in fighting against poverty and hunger”. She further expressed her satisfaction on the ongoing ‘Livelihood Security Project’ sponsored by the ICAR, New Delhi in the remotest village Longwa of Mon district, as a solid effort of SASRD to uplift the poor people and enabling them towards food and nutritional security. Earlier, invocation prayer was delivered by Alen Phom, welcome speech by Shilu Jamir and vote of thanks by Imnuksungla Jamir. On the occasion, a quiz contest was conducted by Mebanphikir, literary secretary, SU: SASRD. Prizes were given away to the winning group comprising Kavi Sumi, Watisenla and Asha who obtained first rank, while the group comprising Vekhrolo, Andrew and Pynkhraw obtained second rank and third to Subhash, John, Thapa and group. In November 1979, World Food Day (WFD) was launched by fao’s member countries on its 20th general conference. The Hungarian delegation, headed by the former Hungarian minister of agriculture and food, Dr. Pal Romany had been instrumental at the 20th Session of the FAO Conference and floated the idea of celebrating the WFD across the world. Since then this day has been observed every year.